U.S. Virgin Islands – V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announced that Jahkeem Perez, 24, appeared in V.I. Superior Court, St. Croix, on February 27, 2025, where he was advised of his rights. Perez faces charges of Carrying a Firearm Openly or Concealed, Possession or Sale of Ammunition, and Alteration of Identifying Marks on a Weapon.
The judge set bail at $50,000, requiring 10% ($5,000) to be posted. As part of the conditions, Perez was placed on house arrest with a curfew and a third-party custodian.
According to the probable cause fact sheet, on February 26, 2025, Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) officers responded to a report from an off-duty officer who observed an individual sitting under a tree in the Matthew Charles area with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine. As VIPD officers made their way to the scene, the off-duty officer reported that the same individual had placed a handgun into a dark-colored backpack and handed it to a second male (Male 2). Male 2 then placed the backpack on the front seat of a white Honda Accord with no license plate, entered the vehicle, and began driving toward Profit Hill.
VIPD officers conducted a traffic stop and located the Honda Accord. They contacted Male 2, the sole occupant of the vehicle, and observed the dark-colored backpack on the front seat. The individual fitting the off-duty officer’s description was ordered to exit, placed in handcuffs, and searched.
A search of the backpack revealed: Two handguns (a Smith & Wesson revolver and a Glock 19), magazines, two plastic bags containing 46 grams of marijuana (confirmed through testing), and $570 in U.S. currency.
The driver, later identified as Jahkeem Perez, was questioned about whether he had ever held a firearm license in the United States Virgin Islands, to which he responded, “No.” Perez was then placed under arrest.
The off-duty officer further informed VIPD that the first male (Male 1) had tossed another handgun into nearby bushes before leaving the area. Officers searched the location but did not locate Male 1. However, a black handgun with an extended magazine was recovered from the bushes.
During the hearing, V.I. Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Chief Amie Simpson successfully argued that the altered firearms, lack of license plates, and suspected collaboration in transporting weapons made the defendant a danger to society. The DOJ will continue working with VIPD on the ongoing investigation into other potential suspects.
Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea expressed sincere gratitude to DOJ Criminal Chief Amie Simpson for her outstanding work on the case and commended the Virgin Islands Police Department for their dedication and hard work.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov